Exhausted firefighters battle fires, heat

Firefighters have struggled to cope with new fires as record temperatures hit New South Wales. Source: AAP

FIREFIGHTERS have collapsed, residents have been advised to leave their homes and properties are under threat as fires burn across NSW, fanned by extreme weather conditions.

On Friday exhausted firefighters struggling to cope with dozens of major new fires were praying for a slight reprieve over the weekend, with lower temperatures and rain predicted for some regions.

A number of firefighters collapsed as they worked to protect homes from blazes which sprang up across the state, whipped by gusty winds and record temperatures.

"We're pretty much we're having fires popping up all over the state," Rural Fire Service (RFS) Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said.

"We've had a number of firefighters collapse with heat exhaustion.

"It's been incredibly hot for them.

"Combine that with the furnace-like heat of the fires, it is really taking its toll."

Sydney recorded its hottest day ever - 45.8C at 2.55pm (AEDT) - exceeding the previous record of 45.3C set on January 14, 1939.

Temperatures elsewhere were well into the 40s, sparking a number of blazes, including a fast moving grassfire at Boorowa, east of Young.

The RFS said there were concerns the fire may reach the outskirts of Boorowa, a town with a population of about 1000, unless it was contained.

"Firefighters are making progress on that fire but the danger has by no means passed," Mr Rogers said.

There were also new, out-of-control fires at Campbelltown, southwest of Sydney, Millingandi, on the south coast and near Watershed Farm, a thoroughbred horse breeding business at Young.

All up, there were 95 fires burning in NSW, including 14 that were uncontrolled.

A bushfire west of Merimbula was among those threatening properties on the south coast.

The RFS said the fire, in the Millingandi area about 2km west of the Merimbula bypass, crossed the Princes Highway and was impacting properties, sparking warnings for residents to head north to Bega or south to Merimbula.

Also of concern was a fire started by a torched car near Cessnock, in the Hunter region, which caused the evacuation of some residents.

Older fires were also still causing problems.

More than 170 firefighters continued to battle the 46,000-hectare fire in the Warrumbungle National Park west of Coonabarabran which is burning close to rural properties.

A Recovery Centre opened in Coonabarabran on Friday to assist the local community with basic needs, such as clothing, food and emergency accommodation.

NSW Emergency Services Minister Michael Gallacher said it was heartening to see volunteers banding together to help affected residents.

"The strength and resilience of these communities is inspiring," Mr Gallacher said.

Meanwhile a bushfire in the Deans Gap area of Morton National Park near Sussex Inlet, covering 9114 hectares, remains uncontained and the RFS said it may jump containment lines.

But there was some respite in sight.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a cool change for much of NSW over the weekend, bringing much lower temperatures and a strong chance of rain.

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